On the surface, not much has changed for Class 3A No. 1 Gibson Southern (9-0). Yet there seems to be a greater sense of optimism. This is the season this group of standout seniors has been anticipating for nearly a decade.

“We were out there having fun and that’s what it’s all about,” senior quarterback Isaac Sellers said. “Winning championships, having fun with your brothers. I had a heckuva lot of fun and am looking forward to keeping it going.”

It was Sellers who fractured his collarbone during last year’s narrow win over Southridge. He said he was excited to still be upright and pose for pictures with his teammates after this year’s win.

Well, that and the fact he threw for a career-high 420 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-32 passing. He tossed a 40-yard touchdown to Nic Maurer and then an 80-yard score to Dawson Witte.

Sellers has completed 68 percent of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and has 24 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He isn’t flashy if you only look at single-game box scores. On the season, he’s been nearly perfect for a high school quarterback.

It helps to have someone like Dylan Stefanich in the backfield. Especially considering the duo takes the field side-by-side and has been teammates since fourth grade.

“He’s a beast, man,” Sellers said. “That kid works harder in the weight room than anybody I know. He’s a humble, loving guy and he’s been my best friend since we were born. To play with him is something special.”

Buy Photo

Gibson Southern's Dylan Stefanich (34) scores a touchdown during Henderson County High School's game against Gibson Southern High School at Henderson County High School in Henderson, Ky., on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. Gibson Southern won 28-20.(Photo: MARLENA SLOSS / THE GLEANER)

Stefanich caught a 26-yard touchdown pass to give Gibson Southern a 7-0 lead. Ultimately, he reached the end zone five times by rushing for 130 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries.

He and Sellers led the Titans to six consecutive touchdown drives in roughly one quarter’s time. Southridge (7-2) led 14-13 before Gibson Southern scored with 1:17 left before half and added five more in the first 10-plus minutes of the third quarter.

“I’m proud of our O-line and D-line for getting it done up front,” Stefanich said. “I think anybody could’ve gotten through with the holes some of those guys were making tonight.”

While the Titans still had 20 first-half points, coach Nick Hart didn’t think his team was executing well on offense. That might not have been a bad thing with the postseason starting.

“I’m happy with the way our kids responded,” Hart said. “When you’re not in that situation a lot, it’s easy to blink whenever that happens.”

The Titans were top-ranked last year. They were undefeated. They lost in the first round.

Although there is almost no chance they go one-and-done this time around, they understand each week could be their last shot to leave a postseason legacy.

“You enjoy the win and be proud of it, but you have to move forward,” Stefanich said. “You can’t focus on the past, and I don’t mean that to sound cliché. It’s the postseason now.”